Safety device for lifting and supporting barbells

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a safety device and method of use that comprises a generally round eccentric disk having a peripheral edge and central rotation axis. The generally round eccentric disk has a barbell access slot extending from the peripheral edge to a seat. A cam lobe is formed with a support base adjacent the cam lobe and opposite the central rotation axis from the barbell access slot. The distance is from the peripheral edge adjacent the slot to the seat is greater than the radius of the barbell weights. Rolling the peripheral edge to orient the cam lobe beneath the seat lifts the barbell above the ground.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/855,062, filed Apr. 2 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/620,237, filed on Apr. 4, 2012. Theentire teachings of the above applications are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to safety devices for liftingand supporting barbells.

2. Description of Background Art

Power lifting, competitive weightlifting and other free weight liftingsports require lifting large amounts of weight from a barbell located onthe floor. Weights are adjusted during training and competitionfrequently. The changing of weights can be tedious, require theassistance of two individuals or at least some device to help changeweights.

To add and remove the weight effectively, the bar needs to be supportedin a somewhat elevated position so that the weights can be slid off theend of the barbell without scraping along the floor. Weights are oftenin excess of 400 lbs. While athletes are strong individuals, capable oflifting the bar, the athletes can be very fatigued during a workout orcompetition. Furthermore, it is desirable, that the athlete expend theirenergy during the workout on the specific exercises and not on changingweights. So a device that assists in raising the barbell for changingweights is of great advantage. Furthermore, to facilitate removal of theweight by a single individual, it would be desirable if the device werecapable of supporting the barbell in an elevated position.

Safety concerns demand the barbells be supported in a stable manner sothat the barbell does not fall off the device when the weights are beingremoved. Stability in a direction axial to the bar is important toprevent the device from collapsing when a force is exerted to remove theindividual weights off the end and to put the individual weights on theends of the barbell. Likewise, stability in a direction perpendicular tothe barbell is needed so the barbell doesn't fall over on someone.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,771,785 (Speyer I) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,825,253 (SpeyerII) disclose a weight adapted for mounting on a bar that has a circularshaped and centrally disposed, axially aligned bore formed therein. Itincludes wall defining a radial slot from the bore to the periphery. Theradial slot allows the weight to be mounted and removed without removingthe collar or weight retaining device. Rather than lift the barbell, theweights can slide on or off through a slot. However, these weights arenot regulation size. While they can be used during a workout, there isstill a need for a device that can be used on barbells that are roundedwith a radially central hole through which the weight is placed on thebar.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,997 (Roth) discloses a weight lifting apparatusincluding a plurality of weights each having a central hole and a slotextending from the central hole to the perimeter of the associatedweight. Roth does not solve any of the problems of the present inventionas it pertains to regulation weights. It is not a device for elevating abar and stabilizing it in an elevated position.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,534,199 (Krull) discloses an exercise dumbbell that issquare shaped with rounded corners. The square shape prevents theweights from rolling along the ground and provides stability. Krull doesnot solve any of the problems of the present invention as it pertains toregulation weights. It is not a device for elevating a bar andstabilizing it in an elevated position.

U.S. Design Pat. No. D610,636 (Goelish): The Goelish design patentdiscloses a weight set with a flattened portion to permit stability. Theindividual weights appear to have a slot from the center to the end tomount the weight onto the bar in a direction perpendicular to the bar.

U.S. Design Pat. No. D617,854 (Gettle) also discloses the design of abarbell that has a slot from the perimeter of the weight to the center.The barbell is eccentric and has a flattened portion on which thebarbell can rest with greater stability to prevent rolling. Stability isobtained by having a portion of the weight flattened to prevent rolling.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,637,852 (Hoole I) and U.S. Pat. No. 7,674,208 (Hoole II)both disclose a device that was intended to elevate a barbell withweights and hold the barbell in a stable elevated position so weightscan be removed and replaced. The barbell seat is tapered in a laterallyoutward direction so that the weights that are closest to the middle ofthe bar rest on the higher part of the seat. The barbell weights thatare further from the middle of the bar are elevated and can be removed.The device is bulky. The weights must be rolled up the ramp requiringconsiderable effort. If released, the barbell can be caused to rollalong the floor and injure someone. It would be advantageous if therewas a device that is relatively more portable and lightweight.Furthermore, not all of the weights are elevated off the ground. Atleast one weight is in a supportive position. Moreover, it would bedesirable if there was an assistance device that uses leverage to makethe rolling and lifting of the bar easier.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0183818 (Mitchell): The Mitchellapplication discloses a device intended to elevate a barbell so that theweights can be removed. Mitchell teaches a barbell support comprising anelongated leverage handle that is affixed to at least one pivot foot.The Mitchell device has a cradle mounted on the pivot foot or thehandle. The barbell is placed in the cradle with the pivot foot againstthe ground. The leverage handle is manipulated to raise the cradlerelative to the pivot foot and elevate the cradle and barbell above theground. Optionally, a wheel can be mounted at the pivot foot totransport the barbell from one location to another in the same mannerthat a dolly lifts and transfers a box. The device, while handy andmakes lifting easy, is relatively heavy and bulky. It would be desirableto have a device that was more compact and lightweight. It would beconsiderable more desirable, if the device is capable of being fitted ina standard sized duffle bag or equipment bag.

Nonetheless, there still exists a need for a device that can elevate abarbell containing very heavy weights off of the floor and support thebarbell in a stable position so that the stand does not capsize duringremoval of the weights. It would be desirable if the device werelightweight and compact. Advantageously, it would be capable of fittingin a suitcases, duffle bag or equipment bag. One or more embodiments ofthe present invention address these and other needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a safety device for lifting a barbell loadedwith barbell weights for safe removal of the barbell weights. The devicecan elevate a barbell containing very heavy weights off of the floor.The device can lift significant weights with a small fraction of a forceby rotating the device to gradually rotate a cam lobe on the deviceunderneath the barbell thereby lifting the barbell. It serves as abarbell stand and will support the barbell in a stable position so thatthe barbell does not capsize during removal of the weights. The deviceis lightweight and compact—weighing less than five pounds, preferablyless than two pounds and most preferably less than one pound. It iscapable of fitting in a suitcase, duffle bag or equipment bag.

The safety device of one embodiment is configured to raise and support abarbell above the floor for addition to or removal from the barbell ofbarbell weights having a barbell radius. The safety device comprises aneccentric disk having a peripheral edge, a central rotation axis and acam lobe. The eccentric disk is rotatable from a first position to asecond position. The barbell is received onto the safety device in afirst position. The safety device has an access slot extending from theperipheral edge to the central rotation axis configured to receive thebar of the barbell in a first position. A support base is configured tosupport the eccentric disk in the second position. The support base isperpendicular to and affixed to the peripheral edge adjacent the camlobe. It is radially opposite the barbell access slot. There is a firstdistance from the support base to the seat that is greater than theradius of the barbell weights.

The safety device of one embodiment comprises a seat adjacent therotation axis radially aligned with the cam lobe and the support base.The support base is configured to support the barbell above the level ofthe floor when the cam lift is rotated to the second position.

In one embodiment, the support base has a generally flat surface thatconforms to the floor and prevents rolling.

In another embodiment, the support base extends perpendicularly outwardfrom the disk.

In still another embodiment, the support base has one or morereinforcing buttresses extending from the support base to the disk.

In an embodiment, the cam lift has a total weight that is less than fivepounds.

Preferably, the cam lift is made of molded plastic. Optionally, the camlift is made of wood or a composite material.

In one embodiment, the safety device further comprises holes in the diskdefining a grip handle between the peripheral edge and holes.

In one embodiment, there is a method of changing the weights on abarbell. The method comprises providing a safety device according to oneor more of the embodiments disclosed herein. The barbell is then slidinto the slot of the device. Next, the device is rotated or rolled toorient the cam lobe in a downward position to lift the barbell. Thebarbell is removed from the device by rotating or rolling the device toa position other than a downward position and sliding the device off thebarbell.

In one embodiment, the support base has a generally flat surface thatconforms to the floor and prevents rolling, wherein the step of rotatingpositions the generally flat surface on the floor.

The support base, of one embodiment, extends perpendicularly outwardfrom the disk. After the step of rolling, the base resists tipping whenthe weight is pulled from or mounted onto the barbell. The support base,typically, has one or more buttresses extending from the support base tothe disk.

The present invention, including its one or more embodiments, can bebetter understood with reference to the following drawings, detaileddescription and examples, which are included to teach the inventionwithout limiting the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of example embodiments of the invention, as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer tothe same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the safety lifting device of oneembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side elevated view of the safety lifting device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the safety lifting device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side elevated view of the device of FIG. 2 taken along thelines 4-4.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of one embodiment of the present inventionbeing placed on a barbell showing the method of use of the safetylifting device.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of one embodiment of the present invention insecond position supporting the barbell.

FIG. 7 shows an end view of one embodiment of the present invention in asecond position supporting a barbell.

FIG. 8 shows a top view of one embodiment of the present inventionsupporting a barbell in the second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A description of example embodiments of the invention follows.

The present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4describing a safety device 10 of one embodiment. The safety device 10 ofone embodiment is also referred to as a cam lift 10 is configured toraise and support a barbell 5 (see FIGS. 5-8) above the floor 4 foraddition to or removal from the barbell 5 of barbell weights 8. Thesafety device 10 also referred to as a cam lift 10 comprises aneccentric disk 12 that has a peripheral edge 14, a central rotation axis16 and a cam lobe 20.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, attention is directed to FIGS. 2 and6 showing the shaded portion of the eccentric disk 12 defining the camlobe 20. The eccentric disk 12 has a central axis 16 and a primaryradius extending from the central axis to the peripheral edge 14 alongthe portion of the peripheral edge 14 that does not form the cam lobe20. The primary radius, in one embodiment, is selected to be about theradius of the largest weight 8 to be lifted by the cam lift 10. In oneembodiment, the radius of the largest weight 8 to be lifted is slightlylarger than the primary radius. The eccentric disk 12 has a plurality ofholes forming gripping handles 34. This decreases the overall weight andprovides improved functionality.

The cam lift 10 being generally round is rotatable from a first positionto a second position. The first position is any position where the camlift 10 is placed over the barbell 5 by sliding the bar 6 of the barbell5 onto the cam lift 10. The second position is the position where thecam lift 10 supports the barbell 5 elevated above the floor 4 for easyaccess to add or remove the weights. The cam lift 10 is placed on thebarbell 5 in a first position via an access slot 18 extending from amouth 19 of the access slot 18 at the peripheral edge 14 to a seat 27adjacent the central rotation axis 16.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 8, the support base 28 is configured tosupport the eccentric disk 14 in the second position. The support base28 is perpendicular to the access slot 18. The support base 28 isaffixed to the peripheral edge 14 adjacent the cam lobe 20. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 6, the support base 28 is flat so that it functions as astand. Accordingly, the support base 28 is preferably has a flat surface29 on the bottom side of the support base 28 that is sufficient toimpart the desired stability. The support base 28 is radially oppositethe mouth 19 of the access slot 18. There is a first distance from theseat 27 adjacent the central rotation axis 16 to the support base 28that is greater than the radius of the largest barbell weights 8 thatthe cam lift 10 is designed to lift.

As shown in FIG. 1, with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 7 and 8, the seat 27of the cam lift 10 receives and supports the bar 6 of the barbell 5. Itis fitted with a support collar 26. That preferably increases theoverall width of the seat 27 by a minimum of twice the thickness of theeccentric disk 12, preferably three times the width. In one embodimentthe eccentric disk 12 is about ¾ of an inch thick. The collar 26 ispreferably about ¾ inch thick on both sides of the eccentric disk 12increasing the thickness of the seat 27 to about 2¼ inches thick. Theadditional thickness provides added support strength to the cam lift 10while minimizing the overall weight of the cam lift 10. The collar 26allows the cam lift 10 to support greater weight without overallthickening the eccentric disk 12.

The access slot 18, the seat 27 and the central axis 16 are radiallyaligned with the cam lobe 20 and the support base 28. The support base28 having a bottom flat surface 29 supports the barbell 5 and thebarbell weights 8 above the level of the floor 4 when the cam lift 10 isrotated to the second position supporting the barbell as a barbellstand.

Orientation of the cam lift 10 can be describe best with reference to athree dimensional grid having an x-axis, a y-axis and a z-axis. The x-and z-axis are horizontal, extend perpendicular to one another with they-axis extending vertical and perpendicular to both the x axis and zaxis. For the sake of relative orientation of the parts and withoutlimitation, the support base 28 has a generally flat surface 29 that ishorizontal when the cam lift 10 is positioned in the second positionwhere the cam lift 10 functions as a stand. The eccentric disk 12 isaligned along the x-axis and stand vertical with the access slot 18,seat 27 and central axis 16 extending perpendicular to and centeredabove the stand in the second position.

With particular reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 7 and 8, the support base 28 isflat in the direction of the x-axis to provide a stable base when thecam lift 10 is rotated by rolling into the second position forsupporting the barbell 5. It extends outward in the direction of thez-axis perpendicular to the eccentric disk 12. Buttresses 30 extend onboth sides in the direction of the z-axis from the support base to thecollar 26. The collar 26 and seat 27 are centered directly above thesupport base 29 for greater stability.

The flat surface 29 conforms to the floor 4 and prevents rolling.Preferably the support base 28 is sufficiently large to not only supportthe barbell 5 but stabilize the cam lift 10 when in the second positionsupporting the barbell 5 and functioning as a stand for the weights. Thecam lift 10 can be knocked over by being rolled off the flat surface 29of the support base 28 in a direction perpendicular to the barbell(x-direction). Thus, the base 28 and its flat surface 29 is sufficientlylarge (in the direction of the x-axis) to prevent it from being tippedover easily. In one embodiment, the base 28 (in the direction of thex-axis) is a minimum of 0.3 times the distance from the seat 27 to theflat surface 29, preferably a minimum of 0.4 times the distance from theseat 27 to the flat surface 29. Most preferably the base 28 (in thedirection of the x-axis) is a minimum of 0.5 times the distance from theseat 27 to the flat surface 29. On the other hand, if the support base28 is too large in the x-direction is will lose the feature of beingable to smoothly rotate the cam lift 10 into the second position.

As noted, the support base 28 extends perpendicularly outward from thedisk (in the direction of the z-axis). This prevents the cam lift 10from tipping over due to movement of the barbell 5 in the direction ofthe axis of the bar 6. Thus, the base 28 and its flat surface 29 issufficiently large (in the direction of the z-axis) to prevent it frombeing tipped over easily due to movement of the barbell 5 in thedirection of the axis of the bar 6. In one embodiment, the base 28 (inthe direction of the z-axis) is a minimum of 0.3 times the distance fromthe seat 27 to the flat surface 29, preferably a minimum of 0.4 timesthe distance from the seat 27 to the flat surface 29. Most preferablythe base 28 (in the direction of the z-axis) is a minimum of 0.5 timesthe distance from the seat 27 to the flat surface 29.

In an embodiment, the cam lift 10 has a total weight that is less thanfive pounds, preferably less than 4 pounds, more preferably less than 3pounds, most preferably less than 2 pounds. The height of the cam lift10 is preferably no more than 1.10 of the diameter of the largest weight8 it is designed to lift.

In one embodiment, the cam lift 10 is made of wood, oriented strandboard or high density fiberboard. In another embodiment, the cam lift 10is made of molded plastic.

The use of the cam lift 10 is described with reference to FIG. 5. A camlift 10 is provided according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention. The cam lift 10 is placed over the bar 6 of the barbell 5 bysliding the bar 6 into the access slot 18 of the cam lift 10. Next, thecam lift 10 is rotated as shown by direction arrows 38 by rolling thecam lift 10 to orient the cam lobe 20 in a downward position asillustrated in FIG. 6. This rotation gently lifts the barbell 5 as theperipheral edge 14 in the area of the cam lobe 20 is rotated under thebar 6 to lift the barbell 5. Further rotation positions the support base12 centered under the seat 27 and forms a stable stand as shown in FIGS.6, 7 and 8. In this position, the support base 28 has a generally flatsurface 29 that conforms to the floor 4 and prevents rolling. Becausethe distance between the seat 27 and the top of the support base 28 isgreater than the radius of the weights 8 of the barbell, the barbellsare lifted off the ground.

The support base 28, of one embodiment, extends perpendicularly outwardfrom the eccentric disk 12. After the step of rolling, the base 28resists tipping when the weight is pulled from or mounted onto thebarbell. The support base 28, typically, has one or more buttressesextending from the support base 28 to the disk 12. The cam lift 10 canbe removed from the barbell 5 by rolling the cam lift 10 from the base28 and sliding the cam lift 10 off the bar 6.

The present invention, including its one or more embodiments, can bebetter understood with reference to the following drawings, detaileddescription and examples, which are included to teach the inventionwithout limiting the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A safety device for raising and supporting abarbell above a floor for addition to or removal from the barbell ofbarbell weights having a barbell radius, the safety device comprising:an eccentric disk having a peripheral edge, a central rotation axis, anda cam lobe, the eccentric disk being rotatable from a first position toa second position, and the cam lobe being parallel to the eccentric diskalong the peripheral edge; an access slot extending from the peripheraledge to the central rotation axis configured to receive the barbell inthe first position; a support base configured to support the eccentricdisk in the second position, the support base being substantiallyperpendicular to and affixed to the peripheral edge adjacent the camlobe and radially opposite the access slot; and a seat adjacent therotation axis and radially aligned with the cam lobe and the supportbase, wherein a first distance from the seat to the support base isgreater than the radius of the barbell weights, and wherein the supportbase is configured to support the barbell above the floor when thesafety device is rotated to the second position.
 2. The safety device ofclaim 1 wherein the support base has a generally flat bottom surface toprevent rolling.
 3. The safety device of claim 2 wherein the supportbase extends perpendicularly outward from the disk.
 4. The safety deviceof claim 3 wherein the support base includes one or more reinforcingbuttresses coupled to and extending between the support base and thedisk.
 5. The safety device of claim 1 wherein the seat includes asupport collar extending perpendicularly outward from the disk.
 6. Thesafety device of claim 5 wherein the support collar extends away fromthe support base and parallel to the eccentric disk.
 7. The safetydevice of claim 1 further comprising a hole in the disk defining ahandle between the peripheral edge and the hole.
 8. A safety device forraising and supporting a barbell above a floor for addition to orremoval from the barbell of barbell weights having a barbell radius, thesafety device comprising: an eccentric disk being rotatable from a firstposition to a second position, the eccentric disk including a centralrotation axis and a peripheral edge having a cam lobe parallel to theeccentric disk; an opening extending from the central rotation axistoward the peripheral edge and configured to receive the barbell in thefirst position; a support base configured to support the eccentric diskin the second position, the support base being substantiallyperpendicular to and affixed to the peripheral edge adjacent the camlobe; and a seat adjacent the rotation axis and radially aligned withthe cam lobe and the support base, wherein a first distance from theseat to the support base is greater than the radius of the barbellweights, and wherein the support base is configured to support thebarbell above the floor when the safety device is rotated to the secondposition.
 9. The safety device of claim 8 wherein the support base has agenerally flat bottom surface to prevent rolling.
 10. The safety deviceof claim 9 wherein the support base extends perpendicularly outward fromthe disk.
 11. The safety device of claim 10 wherein the support baseincludes one or more reinforcing buttresses coupled to and extendingbetween the support base and the disk.
 12. The safety device of claim 8wherein the seat includes a support collar extending perpendicularlyoutward from the disk.
 13. The safety device of claim 12 wherein thesupport collar extends away from the support base and parallel to theeccentric disk.
 14. The safety device of claim 8 further comprising ahole in the disk defining a handle between the peripheral edge and thehole.
 15. A safety device for raising and supporting a barbell above afloor for addition to or removal from the barbell of barbell weightshaving a barbell radius, the safety device comprising: a body having acentral rotation axis and being rotatable from a first position to asecond position, the body including a peripheral edge having a shape ofat least portions of an eccentric disk with a cam lobe, one of theportions including the cam lobe; a seat coupled to the body adjacent therotation axis and radially aligned with the cam lobe; an openingadjacent the rotation axis and radially opposite the cam lobe, theopening configured to receive the barbell in the first position; and asupport base radially aligned with the cam lobe and substantiallyperpendicular to and affixed to a peripheral edge of the body, adistance from the seat to the support base being greater than the radiusof the barbell weights, and the support base being configured to supportthe barbell above the floor when the body is rotated to the secondposition.
 16. The safety device of claim 15 wherein the support base hasa generally flat bottom surface to prevent rolling.
 17. The safetydevice of claim 16 wherein the support base extends perpendicularlyoutward from the body.
 18. The safety device of claim 17 wherein thesupport base includes one or more reinforcing buttresses coupled to andextending between the support base and the body.
 19. The safety deviceof claim 15 wherein the seat includes a support collar extendingperpendicularly outward from the body.
 20. The safety device of claim 19wherein the support collar extends away from the support base andparallel to the body.